“Orlando Alonso offered a solid and passionate performance. He displayed an undeniable mastery of the instrument throughout”– La Libre Belgique, Brussels
“Alonso’s performance was engaging, contrasting and loyal to the music. His touch is clear and robust, his technique flawless.”– La Tribuna, Rio de Janeiro
Business Bio:
Orlando Alonso, a native of Cuba, is an in-demand pianist and conductor, currently serving as President of OAMusic Productions and Management, Artistic Director of Ossia Symphony, and Director of Music in the Heights in New York City. Winner of many prestigious international piano competitions, Mr. Alonso attended The Juilliard School and was the recipient of the Harold Bauer Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating student at the Manhattan School of Music.
In 2005, he worked as a partner in developing the concept for Le Poisson Rouge venue, which opened its doors in 2008 on Bleecker Street, at the former site of the iconic Village Gate in New York City. Since then LPR has become known around the world for its focus on artistry, bringing classical music into the club setting, and offering a variety of setups(arrangements) so that a seated classical performance can be followed by a standing set with a rock band or a DJ.
In 2009, Mr. Alonso founded Ensemble LPR, the house orchestra of Le Poisson Rouge, and established a connection with former President of the Decca Classics label, Elizabeth Sobol, resulting in a recording project with its partner label, Deutsche Grammophon. In 2010, Mr. Alonso founded Ossia Symphony Orchestra with members of the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera House, and other leading orchestras to bring classical music concerts to the public schools around New York City. In 2010, he founded Music in The Heights, a music education program at the George Washington Educational Campus, providing symphonic concerts and music lessons to over 5,000 students in five public schools in the Washington Heights area in New York City.
In 2015, Mr. Alonso founded OAMusic Productions and Management, a leading production and management company representing and promoting Latin American artists and culture in the United States and around the world. In 2016, OAMusic was a producing partner for the PBS Special: Live from Lincoln Center, “Seasons of Cuba”, providing musical arrangements and featuring Mr. Alonso as a performer alongside pop star Dave Matthews, violinist Joshua Bell and The Chamber Orchestra of Havana, among other distinguished Cuban artists. Followed In 2017 by a program of Cuban music together with violinist Joshua Bell and cellist Yo-Yo Ma for the Turnaround Gala at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Future collaborations for 2021-22 with artistic institutions and music festivals include the Art with Me Festival in Tulum, Mexico, with artist-philosopher, and star of the National Geographic documentary “Brain Games”, Jason Silva, as well as collaborations with the Perez Museum, New World Symphony, and Dranoff Foundation in Miami.
Artist Bio
Cuban born pianist and conductor Orlando Alonso has already established a flourishing international reputation through his orchestral and recital performances in North America, South America and Europe. Noted for his challenging programs, artistic maturity and versatility, his repertoire ranges from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven through the Romantics, Liszt and Brahms, to works by contemporary composers.
Mr. Alonso has performed with many of the major orchestras in Cuba as well as North and South America, including the Santa Clara Symphony, Havana Symphony, Key West Symphony, American Youth Symphony, OSB Orchestra of Rio de Janeiro, National Symphony Orchestra of Brazil, Madrid Symphony, Kiev Symphony Orchestra, Astoria Symphony, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, George Enescu Symphony Orchestra in Romania and Ossia Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Alonso has given recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York and has performed extensively throughout Europe, North and South America and China.
Winner of the Amadeo Roldan Piano Competition in Havana, the Sant’ Agata li Battiati in Italy, the Frinna Awerbuch International Piano Competition in New York, he was also the recipient of the Harold Bauer Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating student at the Manhattan School of Music.
Orlando Alonso studied with Jorge Luis Prats at the Havana Conservatory, Herbert Stessin at the Juilliard School and with Zenon Fishbein and Horacio Gutierrez at the Manhattan School of Music.
Mr. Alonso studied conducting with Zdenek Macal at the Manhattan School of Music and has participated in master classes given by Kurt Masur. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the Ossia Symphony Orchestra in New York and the Artistic Director of Ensemble LPR.